Maltz Museum Becomes Local Beneficiary

Jewish Federation of Cleveland Approves Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage as Local Beneficiary Agency

On June 21, 2016, the Federation Board of Trustees voted unanimously to make the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage (2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, OH 44122 I 216.593.0575 I maltzmuseum.org) a local beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, solidifying a longstanding relationship between the two organizations. The Maltz Museum provides high quality programming and outreach to nearly 40,000 members of the Jewish and general community each year.

The inclusion of the Maltz Museum as a local beneficiary agency comes at the conclusion of a three-year “candidacy status,” during which time the museum was held to the same rigorous standards as all local beneficiary agencies. “We are grateful for the incredible support of the Federation,” says Maltz Museum Executive Director Ellen Rudolph. “The Museum produces high profile, original exhibitions such as Violins of Hope and Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann. The Federation’s partnership is invaluable as we continue to build this important institution’s reputation on the national stage.”

Federation has been a leader in support of Maltz Museum from its inception, and this shift to “beneficiary agency” status formalizes and strengthens that relationship. “Federation’s partnership with the Maltz Museum goes back to its earliest conception,” said Federation President Stephen H. Hoffman. “Welcoming it formally into the family of full beneficiary agencies is very satisfying as it represents recognition of its tremendous value to our community as well as the careful stewardship of its operation. We are partners for the long run.”

Now a fixture in Northeast Ohio, the cultural hub’s creation was initiated when The Temple-Tifereth Israel leadership asked the Maltz family to support a small addition to move The Temple’s world-renowned collection of Judaica to Beachwood. Milton Maltz had a vision for a much larger, freestanding museum that would connect diverse people while telling the story of Cleveland’s Jewish community from 1837 through the present day. Between 2000 and 2003, a collaborative effort of the Maltz Family Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, The Temple-Tifereth Israel and the Western Reserve Historical Society that would lead to the Museum’s October 2005 opening. The entire facility was constructed with Jerusalem stone imported directly from Israel.

“The Museum builds bridges of understanding to the broad community as evidenced by highly attended exhibits such as the Cradle of Christianity and A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People,” said co-founders Milton and Tamar Maltz. “It has also garnered national recognition with programming segments on CBS and PBS. The critical importance of reaching out to our youth is central to its Stop the Hate® competition. The Museum awards $100,000 in scholarships annually through the contest—$800,000 to-date—and a winner recently was featured on CNN.”

The Maltz Museum becomes part of a network of 30 local and national partner agencies, reaching people locally and globally living in the Jewish and general community. Together, this network of partners helps to feed the hungry, comfort the sick, care for the elderly, educate youth, ensure a Jewish future, speak out for what’s right, bridge cultural divides, and support Israel.

“The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is delighted to be a local beneficiary of the Federation and is dedicated to continue its mission in the future,” added the co-founders.

For more information on the Federation’s local beneficiary agencies, please contact Erika Rudin-Luria, Senior Vice President of Organizational and Community Development, at 216-593-2867 or erudin-luria@jcfcleve.org.

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